Americans always have shunned the idea of a ruling class or an aristocracy. This is a nation that, from the start, has recognized its people as the source of its power, and the people are the ones who chose its leaders and decide the course of its government.
Unfortunately, in recent years the people at large have established a de facto ruling class. By not exercising the right to vote, more than half the adults in the United States are content to let a small group of voters decide the course of government.By some estimates, at least 105 million eligible voters won't bother to cast ballots on Tuesday. That is more than the number who will vote.
Utahns tend to vote in greater percentages than the rest of the nation. But even here, so-called off-year elections don't generate the voter interest that a presidential election would. That's too bad because the ability to vote is one of the most important rights granted to citizens of any free society, and the ballot contains many important items.
Only through a healthy voter turnout can the voice of the majority truly be heard and government become representative. At the same time, the electorate can make wise choices only if it is educated.
This page does not endorse candidates, but it does take positions on important ballot measures and it has attempted to educate readers as to these matters in recent weeks. To recap, here is a summary of those recommendations:
- Initiative A - This measure, which would provide for expensive runoff elections any time a winning candidate receives less than 50 percent of the vote, makes little sense. It also would limit the terms of all local, state and federal office holders in Utah, except for current incumbents, ignoring the fact that Utah lawmakers already passed such a law. Vote against this measure.
- Proposition 1 - This would amend the state constitution to establish a set of victims' rights. Among other things, it would excuse most victims from having to testify at preliminary hearings, and it would require courts to notify them of every development and hearing in the case. It would grant some measure of dignity to people who have been wronged without removing any rights from the accused. Vote yes on this one.
- Proposition 2 - This rather technical measure would authorize state trust land managers to put a portion of the interest earned each year into a separate account. Eventually, this money would help fund education each year. This is the only ballot measure that has virtually no opposition. It deserves to be approved.
- Proposition 3 - If passed, this would correct a technical defect in the state's constitution and formally recognize that the study of religion in schools as it pertains to history, science, cultural heritage and other topics is acceptable. It would begin to reverse a trend toward excluding all mention of religion in text books and classrooms. Vote for this measure.
All these issues are important to the future of government, education and criminal justice in Utah. In addition, several hotly contested races will affect the way government works on local and national levels.
Don't let Election Day pass without casting a ballot.